“I'll be right down," she whispers into the phone. "Look, X, I forgot I have a meeting tonight."
“On a Saturday night?”
“Uh, huh. It's usually the only time all the guys can get together between husbands and babies. Look, I'll call you." Her eyes won't meet mine.
“I can take you home.”
“Xavier, I'm fine, and this is all new. Give me time to wrap my mind around it, around us. Okay?" Her hand rests on my chest.
I nod but don’t like it. I pull her into my arms and kiss the tender spot between her neck and shoulder because it makes her giggle.
“X.” She steps back.
“Come back to me tonight.”
“I have a mountain of work to finish before Monday.”
“Please Ryann.” I tug at the hem of the X Brand shirt.
“I’ll try.” She kisses me and rushes inside, not bothering to look back.
Chapter 10
Contracts cover my desk. I drop my head, closing my eyes. Last night The Dungeon had a line wrapped around the block for Brand X's Spring Break concert. In the months since hooking up with Xavier, we've established a new rhythm. We hang at his place on the weekends and see each other as often as we can during the week.
The perks of being Xavier’s "girl" means VIP access across the city's nightlife and front seats at most major events. I'm burning the candle at both ends—working sixty-hour weeks at the firm and partying all night. I can't keep up at this pace.
“Ryann.”
“What?” I prop up on my elbow to see Scott slipping inside my office.
“Why are you not ready? We have a client in the conference room.” There is an edge in his voice.
“A what?" I sit up, and my head spins a little.
“Please tell me you’re not hungover.” I open my mouth. “Stop, don’t say a thing. You need to pull it together Ryann. You have twenty minutes.”
He leaves, and I stare at my calendar. It feels like Monday, but it's Thursday. I hadn't planned to go last night, but Xavier begged, and I promised to stop by for a few minutes. One hour turned into two, two hours turned into dancing until three in the morning and making love to him until I had to leave for the office.
I pop a few aspirins in my mouth and open the notes on my computer. I add them to my iPad, thankful this isn't my client. I'll skim them once I get to the room.
Scott and Jeff, another partner at the firm, share the brand and today they’re inking a new partnership agreement. I’m merely serving as an extra body in the room, according to Scott when he made the request last week.
I run to the restroom to freshen up and dash to the conference room. I enter the room acknowledging all in attendance. I’m surprised to see the client is a young African American woman. I take the seat next to Scott.
“You didn’t tell me she was Black.” I whisper.
“I didn’t think it was important.”
"Are we good?" I turn in my chair, holding his gaze.
He opens the meeting, not answering my question, and I feel the alcohol burning from my blood. Why am I really here?
I scan the room, keeping my ear on the opening remarks. The table is long and polished to perfection. The faces of the parties reflect on its surface, and I get a good look at Scott's client.
What kind of business is this woman running? I turn on my iPad, flipping through the files quickly refreshing myself.
According to her file, Aisha Sutton started a natural hair care company in her college dorm room. Her products caught the attention of a few celebrities, thanks to her YouTube channel. Now she’s bringing on partners to expand her brand. I stare at her reflection again, she can’t be more than twenty-two or twenty-three.
Five men in suits sit across the table. Two are the interested parties, the others are attorneys I’ve encountered before. I see want’s going on here. They needed another suit in the room and some melanin.
The time drags as we comb through the documents line by line. I flag a couple of clauses for further review as Scott and Jeff negotiate the terms of the partnership.
We break and I pull Scott aside pointing out a few issues I have with the buyout agreement, the shotgun clause, and the provision to protect the intellectual property, namely the formulas for her products.
"Scott, I don't feel right about this agreement." My skin prickles with anxiety as I keep my eye on the suits across the room, huddled near the coffee station and pastries.
“How do you know? You barely read the damn thing.”
“What?” I cut my eyes from them to Scott.
"Ryann, you have been MIA for months. While you've been partying, we've been working. You can't pop up and want to rewrite the contract." His expression clouds with anger.
"First, control your tone. Second, you asked me to be here. It's not the other way around. Third, you asked for my professional opinion, and I think you're screwing the girl." I cross my arms. His face is beet red. "And you know it."
“This is a standard—”
“Don't give me that ‘it's a standard agreement' bullshit. People pay top dollars for your time. She can buy a standard agreement online. And if those leeches have it their way, they'll pull her from her own company."
Scott shakes his head. “Ryann, I know you’re making this some sort of Black thing, but it’s not. This is business.”
“But you’re her attorney.”
“And she’ll be a millionaire before her twenty-first birthday when I’m done with her.” He spins on his heels and walks off.
“Scott." I hiss, and every head turns in my direction. I give an awkward smile, and the others dismiss me, but she doesn't. Instead, she stands.
Sista girl is on point, her hair is laid, and her makeup is flawless. To be twenty years old and surrounded by a room of older men, she is holding her own. She walks a few steps, and Scott blocks her. He talks, and she nods not taking her eyes off of me then she sidesteps him, and within seconds we're face to face.
“Aisha Sutton.”
“Ryann Gibson.”
We shake hands, and my mind runs through this scenario at lightning speed. This is not my client, but she's a client of the firm. As a partner, I have a responsibility to her and this firm.
“I’d like to take you out to lunch Miss Gibson. Are you available today?” Her eyes are sharp and assessing.
“Let me check with—”
“Just you, if that’s not a problem.”
Meeting with her presents a significant problem. I feel uneasy, and it's not because of the residue from last night swimming through my veins. Scott just involved me in some questionable shit, and I don't appreciate it. Miss Sutton is waving a red flag in front of the biggest bulls in Texas, and apparently, she wants to take me with her.
I hear Xavier’s voice in my head warning me about choices. Watching the way he handles his business has changed the way I see every contract, every deal. Before I saw words in black and white, now, I see people. And this young woman doesn’t deserve to get screwed.
“Not here. Do you know where Smith & Jameson is?”
“I’ll be there at two o’clock.”
The next half hour rolls in slow motion. Miss Sutton requests time to review the contract, and the meeting is rescheduled for Monday. I stand to leave the moment the door closes behind her. I have one hour to understand what the hell just happened.
Chapter 11
The massive knot in my stomach is my ever-present companion. I get it when I'm nervous, anxious, overwhelmed. Right now, it's my bullshit detector.
I return to my office and access the firm server. I load every file I see for Aisha to my iPad. Next, we need a private space to talk.
“Hey Siri, call Hunter Abbott." The ringing fills my office, and I turn off my monitor.
Hunter's husband, Ben, was the manager at Smith & Jameson years ago. But it established a good rapport between Platinum Prestige and S&J. Basically, I got the hookup.
“Can you reserve the VIP roo
m at S&J?”
“I'm on it. Don't forget, we have a meeting this weekend. You've been MIA and keeping Xavier to yourself." I honestly wasn't expecting us to last this long or that I'd enjoy having him around.
"Yeah, I plan to change that starting with a house party or something, but this new promotion is more than I anticipated."
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
I toss my iPad and files in my shoulder bag.
“A little of both. Hunt, can you text me the confirmation and I’ll call you back? I need to get out of here.”
"You got it. Love you, Ry."
“Love you back and kiss my babies.”
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll send them over to hang with their favorite Auntie Ry this weekend.”
“Send them.” Her gasp makes me laugh. “I'm serious. I'll babysit on Saturday. You and Ben can get your freak on.”
“You ain’t said nothing but a word! I’ll have them on your doorstep before the rooster crows.”
“Rooster?” I sit back curious to hear her explanation.
“It’s what happens when you have kids in preschool, every moment is an educational moment.”
“Go ‘head then Mamma Hunt. I gotta go.” I stand and sling my bag over my shoulder.
“Okay. I'll take care of the room and text you. Worst-case scenario I'll call Parker's office."
“Perfect. Thanks.”
“Later dude!” Hunter sings.
She hangs up, and I can see her packing their bags now. Who am I? I glance at my phone, and I can't believe I volunteered to watch three kids. Then Tyson crosses my mind.
I text Xavier, Slumber party at my place on Saturday.
Word! You and I butt ass naked on your fake bear rug. He adds the emoji with the tongue hanging out.
Stop frontin’ on my rug. And NO, bring Tyson. I’m babysitting. All he thinks about is sex and if I had his skills, I would too. I glance around my office, pulling out my keys. The phone rings.
“Hey.” It’s him. I wonder if I’ll ever tire of his smooth voice.
“I’ll get Tyson but who are you babysitting? And do they know you can’t cook?”
“Youngsta, you better be glad I’m walking through the office.”
“I ain’t scared of you.” He laughs. “I'm a grown-ass man all day, and all night."
“Your mind is always—
“On that ass. You’re absolutely correct.”
"I can't with you." This man keeps me laughing, sexing, dancing, or talking shit. But I love it and Xavier has me thinking about the long term, which isn't so scary anymore.
I turn the corner and Scott’s in my face. “Just the person I need to see.”
“Scott, I'm on a call." I have no words for him. I thought we were friends, and I want to keep it that way.
“What was that shit back there?” He sounds like he’s chastising a child, but I’m not the one.
“Shit? You were the one poppin’ off at the mouth. You crossed the line when you brought in my personal business. What I share with you is between you and I.”
“I’m disappointed in you.”
“This is the last time I’ll tell you to keep my man and my business out your mouth.”
“You’re a gangster now?” He steps in my face, his voice low. “I can’t believe you let a fuckin’ waiter ruin your career.”
Smack!
His head jerks back turning red from where my palm connected with his check.
“You bitch.” His blue eyes turn ice cold.
I drop my stuff throwing up my hands, “Imma go Apollo Creed on your ass and fuck this place up. Touch me.”
I'm blind with rage, adrenaline rushes through my body. I rock on my feet, waiting for Scott's next move. I've seen that look before.
"What's going on out here?" Ryker stands between us, but my hands remain up, my stance strong. I won't let him put a hand on me without a fight.
All eyes are on me, and my eyes are on Scott. He huffs and puffs but stays behind Ryker.
“I’m out of here.” I pick up my bag and head for the elevator.
“You forgot this.” Dominique passes my phone. I press the button watching the men huddle at the end of the hall. “I saw everything.”
“Thank you.” I turn towards the chime and enter the elevator. “I’ll call you.”
The doors slide closed, and I slide to the floor. My stomach grips, and I feel like I'm about to be sick. I can’t control the shake of my hands as I see the time still running on the screen.
“X?" I swallow hard, and I can't hold back the tears.
“I’m downstairs.”
Chapter 12
My world runs in slow motion. One second we're laughing, the next I hear him call my woman a bitch. I drove across town on two wheels, my hands ache from the grip I have on the steering wheel. I call out to her, hoping she'll hear I'm still on the line.
My SUV comes to a screeching halt in front of the building. I put on my hazard lights running towards the building. The moment she exits the building, I exhale. I scoop her up. Ryann's legs wrap around my waist as I crush her body into mine.
"You good?" She nods, but I saw the tears in her eyes. "Wait in the truck for me?"
She pulls back, and I dry her face with my thumbs. "I love you, X, but no."
"You love me?" This woman is a rock, and to see her crying is killing me. She nods, and the humor disappears, she's barely holding it together, and I'm about to catch a case. I just need the dude's last name. "I love you too."
"How much X?" She chews on her lip, and I can't believe my luck. I glance at the buildings around us and the people ignoring us. "Come on… I’ve heard the chicken nugget version, the stars in the sky version, oh and the Transformer version was genius.”
"Ry, I'm trying to get upstairs and knock the block off this dude."
"I know, and I won't let you." Her voice cracks, "He’s not worth it. So, tell me. How much do you love me X?”
I guess she's heard it over and over again. I walk us back to my ride. I sit her inside, and I climb in behind the wheel. She turns in her seat to face me, and I see my future.
“Marry me?”
A gasp slips. Her eyes search mine down to my soul, and the only thing there is her. I have my family, my business, but nothing compares to Ryann.
“It doesn’t have to be today or tomorrow. I just want us to agree that this…you and I…are it.”
“How much X?”
My heart is racing for a different reason. I can’t imagine what I’d do if I got my hands-on Scott. And the level of my rage shows me how deep I love this woman. I grip the steering wheel, trying to conceive my best analogy. It’s been six months, not without issues or arguments or differences but I wouldn’t change a single moment. Our first date comes to mind.
"Imagine The Dungeon." I reach for her hand, and I kiss it. "Think about the floor gutted to expose the stage, dance floor, the DJ booth. It exposes the essence of my operation. Before you, the building was here, but it lacked its essence, its soul." I take a deep breath. "So, take the energy from last night, music, laughter, dancing, and replace it with this." I remove the rock from my armrest. "I love you more than that, Ryann."
“That’s a lot of ice X.” Her eyes glisten.
“It is. But it won’t mean anything if you don’t say yes.”
"Is that a command or a request?" She climbs over, lowering down onto my lap.
“Whatever it takes to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Yes X, I’ll marry you.”
I slip the ring on her finger, and we seal it with a kiss. Her body against mine, my tongue giving her a sample of what's to come.
There’s a knock on the window. “Y’all can't do that here.”
“Yeah man, we’re getting out of here.” I hold Ryann’s gaze. “I love you. Now buckle in." She crawls back to her seat. "There's a bag in the glove box for you." I hear the snap and turn over the engine. "Your place or mine?"
> “S&J. I have a meeting.”
We cover the distance, and she fills me in on the details. I thought I had it all. My parents, sister, nephew, my business. But Ryann shows me there's more in store for our lives. This is truly only the beginning.
“What’s your plan?” I ask parking near the curb.
“I don’t have one yet. This is all happening so fast.”
“She needs investors, right?” She nods. “Then invest in her business. That’s the best way to keep the suits from taking her out.”
“I can’t it’s a conflict of interest.”
“Not if you’re not an employee of the firm.”
She stares at me. “You want me to quit my job?”
“I’m not telling you to do anything. I’m introducing another option.”
This is the part of her life she keeps to herself, and I let her. Her business, her friends, her career. I've met her guys a few times, but Ryann has a way of keeping the areas of her life separate. But it seems my diligent patience is turning this entire situation around right before my eyes.
“You change the system from the inside out,” she reasons.
“I say change it, by changing that shit. Stop waiting for permission.” I lean back and wait for her to take my bait. I’ve seen this coming for months.
“X, what are you up to?”
“Nothing, I’m just waiting for the boss to boss up.”
Chapter 13
The silent challenge isn’t missed. How can I help Aisha? Do I want to leave the firm after finally being promoted to partner? I dig out my phone and see Hunter’s text message. I got the room, now I need a plan. I need my guys. I send the text, SOS. S&J ASAP.
I reach for the handle and realize he’s still buckled in. “Are you coming inside?”
"I can for a little while, I have to pick up Tyson from school today. Tia has a class tonight." He jumps out, and I breathe a sigh of relief as the messages from the guys come in. Xavier opens the door and takes my hand. His presence in my life is unexplainable. I glance down at my engagement ring, and I can't believe it.
Absolute Love: A Second Chance Romance (Blazin' Love Book 6) Page 6
